Monthly Archives: March 2011

What Helps Kids Grow Spiritually? A Look at the Data

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Dr. G

What did all of these studies have in common, and what would I want to focus on as a parent if I want to increase the likelihood that my kids are going to grow up to be mature Christians, actively engaged in a local church and using their gifts and talents in serving others?

I’d want to pray regularly with my kids, and have them see my wife and I praying regularly.
I’d want my kids to see my wife and I studying the Bible regularly, and initiate spiritual conversations with them on a regular basis about applying Biblical teachings in day to day life.
I’d want to pursue opportunities to serve other people as a family through my church.
I’d want to make sure my kids saw my wife and I going to church every week, and encourage them to participate in the ministry offered at church for kids in their age group. I’d also encourage them in forming relationships with pastors or youth leaders outside of our home who will support and reinforce the values we’re trying to foster in our kids. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Thinking Orange”…Helping Parents of Kids With Disabilities Do A Little Bit More

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Dr. G

For our friends in children’s ministry, I’d echo the question Reggie Joiner posed at the beginning of the chapter: Do you really believe in the potential of parents? Including parents of kids who don’t think and react and behave like other kids? I do. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Thinking Orange”…A Parent’s Perspective-Mike Woods from Making Room

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Dr. G

You are God’s gift to families who have a child with autism. God calls people just like you to Himself, and then blesses you with the purpose of becoming part of a community of Christ-followers focused on helping “the least of these” (Matt. 25:40). In Scripture God calls his people to live out the gospel pattern of welcome and generosity. “Therefore, “ Paul says, “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Ro.15:7). Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Defining Brokenness

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Dr. G

Brokenness is the experience of pain, suffering and despair used by God to remove our sense of self-sufficiency, deepen our dependency upon Him and prepare us for meaningful service in His Kingdom. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Spiritual Development | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

JAM Session Rewind

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Dr. G

I’ve had the opportunity to present at major international medical conferences, as well as regional and national ministry conferences. I’ll personally attest to the quality of the training and resources distributed during the JAM Session in Cincinnati and the JAM Sessions to come. Not only will you receive the opportunity to interact with some top-flight people, but you’ll benefit from the ongoing relationships you’ll develop with our trainers and your fellow participants. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Resources, Strategies, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking “Orange”…Communicating the Message

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Dr. G

Kids (and not infrequently, parents) with hidden disabilities often have difficulty filtering out extraneous information to the point that they miss out on what’s important. One of the top two or three complaints I get from moms about their kids when they first come to our office is that they need constant reminders to do chores or complete homework because other things around the house (TV, the computer, the dog, their little brother) intrude upon their consciousness. Church leaders and volunteers are faced with the challenge of cutting through the information overload that characterizes modern American society with kids and parents with conditions that make prioritizing more difficult. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Amanda Mooney…Newest Member of Key Ministry’s “Travel Team”

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Dr. G

Key Ministry has been blessed with an extraordinary team of staff and volunteers who come with a remarkable depth of experience in serving kids with the most complex disabilities and their families in both the church world and the secular world and a passion that they would all experience the love of Christ through the ministry of a local church. We’re proud to announce the newest member of our travel team, making her debut on the road at Key Ministry’s inaugural JAM Session tomorrow in Cincinnati…Amanda Mooney. Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Making Sense of Brokenness

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Dr. G

A cursory overview of Scripture suggests that profound and repeated experiences of brokenness appear to be a prerequisite for those used by God to accomplish great things. I’m hoping that readers of this blog and those coming to be a part of the events on April 3 will come away from the experience with a better understanding of God’s purposes in exposing us to times of profound despair, heartache and helplessness. Continue reading →

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“Thinking Orange”: The advantages of an integrated ministry strategy

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Dr. G

When we think about ministry to the family as opposed to ministry to the child with a disability, collective intentionality is required to ensure the child’s disability doesn’t serve as an impediment to the ability of other family members to participate in activities and programs central to the church’s philosophy of ministry. Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jim Tressel: Responsibilities of High-Profile Christians

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Dr. G

Assuming that Tressel’s primary motivation was protecting his players (as opposed to trying to put the most competitive team in the field), do priorities change when one occupies a highly visible position of leadership in the Christian community? How do you deal with situations in which you feel compelled to break rules when doing so seems to be in the best interest of your kids but fear by doing so that you’ll undermine the credibility of your Christian witness?

Continue reading →

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